Adsorption-enhanced compressed air energy storage
AssigneeEnergy Compression Inc.
InventorTimothy F. Havel
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Abstract
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an energy storage device is presented. The energy storage device includes a porous material that adsorbs air and a compressor. The compressor converts mechanical energy into pressurized air and heat, and the pressurized air is cooled and adsorbed by the porous material. The energy storage device also includes a tank used to store the pressurized and adsorbed air and a motor. The motor is driven to recover the energy stored as compressed and adsorbed air by allowing the air to desorb and expand while driving the motor.
Claims16
A mechanical energy storage device, comprising:
- a porous material that adsorbs air;
- a compressor, wherein the compressor converts mechanical energy into pressurized air and heat, wherein the pressurized air is adsorbed by the porous material;
- a tank used to store the pressurized and adsorbed air;
- a motor, driven to recover the stored mechanical energy by allowing the air to desorb under pressure, and the pressurized air being allowed to expand while driving the motor.
A mechanical energy storage device, comprising the following:
- a porous material that adsorbs air;
- a compressor that converts mechanical energy into pressurized air and heat;
- a tank that stores the pressurized and adsorbed air;
- a motor, driven to recover the stored mechanical energy;
- a plurality of heat pumps configured to heat or cool the porous material;
- wherein the temperature of the porous material and surrounding pressurized air is controlled by allowing the heat to flow through a barrier that prevents the air from escaping;
- wherein the barrier is heated or cooled by the plurality of heat pumps so as to promote the flow of heat through the barrier.
A mechanical energy storage device, comprising the following:
- a porous material that adsorbs air;
- a compressor that converts mechanical energy into pressurized air and heat;
- wherein the temperature of the porous material and surrounding pressurized air is controlled by allowing the heat to flow through a barrier that prevents the air from escaping;
- a thermal energy storage system, wherein the heat from the pressurized air and from the porous material is directed to the thermal energy system and stored;
- and
- a tank that stores the pressurized and adsorbed air, wherein the heat stored in the thermal energy storage system is converted back into mechanical energy by allowing the air to desorb and/or expand while directing this heat back through the barrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.